We’re using Commonwealth water for the environment this year to build on the gains we’ve achieved over the past 3 years of wet conditions.
Water storages at the start of the year averaged 75% capacity. This was 15% less than the same time last year – and water allocations are high.
As at mid-September, there are more signs of a likely return of a La Nina weather pattern. This increases the prospects of a wet spring and a cooler-than-average summer.
We expect to maintain or enhance the resilience of rivers, wetlands and floodplains across the Murray-Darling Basin. At some locations this might include follow-up flows or the start of a drying phase.
For our feathered friends, we may use our water for the environment to maintain, create or expand on feeding habitat. This will give waterbirds the best-possible conditions to grow and thrive.
The recovery of native fish populations continues as a key focus. We plan to do this by providing flows suitable for breeding and recruitment. We will also aim to provide connectivity between rivers to support fish migration and water quality. This includes providing end-of-system flows to maintain healthy salinity levels in the Coorong for as long as possible.
Flows to support native fish will be delivered across several valleys including the Macquarie, Namoi, Gwydir, Warrego, and Border rivers. These flows will target a range of species, including:
- Murray cod
- freshwater catfish
- river blackfish
- golden perch.
We are flexible and adapt our watering plans in real time to respond to a range of factors, such as:
- available water
- environmental conditions
- emerging threats and demands.
For example, we are currently preparing for the possibility of the H5NI high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAi) strain entering Australia and how we respond.
A range of people and organisations help us to plan and deliver water for the environment. We value and respect our relationships with community members, First Nations people, irrigation corporations, landholders, environmental groups, scientists, river operators and government agencies to achieve strong environmental outcomes.
